Page 4 - Summer 2017 Rochester Athletics Newsletter | University of Rochester

Profile: Head Athletic Trainer

“Career plans: sports medicine.” So reads a plaque in Eric Rozen’s childhood home that dates back
to his high school days. As the University’s head athletic trainer for varsity programs since 2002,
Rozen has made good on that promise and then some.
A exercise and sport science at the University With the help of Rozen and the athletic training staff,

fter completing a bachelor’s degree in
Lauer recovered and went on to lead the team to three
of Florida, he went on to receive a master’s
consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.
degree in physical education from Columbia
University while working as a full-time Rozen expresses great admiration for Brynn and the
other students he’s worked with over the years. He
graduate assistant in their athletic department. Before recalls a particularly close UAA basketball contest against
coming to Rochester, he was head athletic trainer at the Washington University. “We were both among the top
California State University Maritime Academy. ranked teams and it was down to the last minute. A
Rozen now provides leadership for a comprehensive timeout was called, and the players were in the huddle,
sports medicine office with three other full-time athletic deeply focused on the coach’s instructions. I hand one
trainers. They support varsity athletes with a wide range of the players a cup of water, and he turns around, looks
of services, including pre-participation examinations and me in the eye, and says ‘thank you.’ ”
history evaluations, treatment of orthopedic injuries, and “That is the Rochester athlete. Competing at an
surgical rehabilitations. intense, high level, but with the wherewithal to express
“Things have evolved tremendously in my 15 years here,” appreciation. Their work ethic is amazing and their
says Rozen. “Working with the health center, handling dedication is unmatched.”
mental health issues, enacting NCAA guidelines—we’re And while Rozen has staffed the 1996 Olympic Games
involved on many levels.” and the 2001 Macabbiah Games (a Jewish multi-sport
Utilization has also grown enormously during Rozen’s competition and the third-largest sporting event in the
tenure. In his first year, the staff saw 500 athletes visit world), he cites a University of Rochester–based project
during treatment hours. This quadrupled in his second as a career highlight.
year, and they now average more than 4,000 visits In 2007, after learning of the extensive concussion
annually. research conducted by URMC faculty member Jeffrey

Practice and game coverage is another big part of their Bazarian, Rozen approached him with a proposal.
work. The athletic trainers staff home games and travel “Knowing that I work with a population of athletes who
to away contests, including overnights, for many of the are likely to experience a concussion at some point, I
varsity teams. thought it was a great opportunity to join forces.”
“Our philosophy is not to burden the host team and to Rozen’s suggestion led Bazarian to coordinate a study
provide support for that second game,” says Rozen. “If with Rochester football players, in which the athletes
a player gets injured, I want our people, who know our wore accelerometers mounted inside their helmets
athletes, to make the return-to-play decision.” to gather data. The research findings were published

Brynn Lauer ’17 understands the value of a dedicated in two journals and the effort earned the Provost’s
athletic training staff. After tearing her ACL three Multidisciplinary Award, which recognizes collaborative
times and enduring three surgeries within a year, the projects at the University.
basketball player had to sit out her freshman season. With the Boehning Varsity House opening in August, Rozen Eric Rozen
“Working with Eric has certainly made my athletic has more progress to look forward to. It will replace the
experience ‘ever better,’ ” says Lauer. “He has offered nearly 90-year-old athletic training facilities inside Fauver
unwavering support and shown tough love when Stadium, which previously served the outdoor teams.
necessary, truly investing his time and effort to help me “I’m excited for air conditioning,” he quips. “But more than
achieve my goals. Eric is an invaluable asset to our varsity that, I’m excited for an updated facility that will allow us
programs.” to provide an even higher level of service to our athletes.”

We know he keeps his promises.